By Mat Cloak
The Parsons Advocate
The Office of Emergency Management are moving forward to purchase a device that would enable internet and phone connectivity during a crisis or simply when phone and internet lines are down.
Developed by Plum Laboratories, the device is a plum case. The product description states, plum cases “provide reliable internet access where you need it, when you need it. Their highly sensitive antenna arrays pull in usable cellular signals.”
According to Office of Emergency Management Director Kevin White, the piece of equipment would be used by county and state personnel that need cell phone and internet connectivity during a crisis. This includes 911 dispatchers, EMS personnel, police, and the Department of Highways. The device can host approximately 120 users at a time.
The grant that the Office of Emergency Management applied for is through the West Virginia Homeland Security Grant Program. At the October 25 County Commission meeting, the board approved the acceptance of the grant to fund the equipment.
The plum case costs about $15,000. According to White, the office is waiting on state approval before purchasing the equipment.
